The derided and misused apostrophe, whose correct usage causes grief to so many, has an unlikely saviour. Alexander Bergs, Professor of Linguistics at the University of Osnabrück in Germany, believes that the one thing standing between the beleagured apostrophe and grammatical oblivion is the autocorrect function on the iPhone and other Apple devices.
By correcting errant apostrophes or inserting missing ones, much like a verbal sheepdog, the learned professor believes that Apple software acts as a “language preservative”. Were I to meet the professor I would applaud his efforts but point out that the spelling and grammar check feature in Microsoft Word performs a similarly important role (as long as it’s turned on).
However, many fear that leaving a generation dependent on software programs to compensate for their grammatical shortcomings will lower standards. Simon Horobin, Professor of English Language & Literature at Magdalen College, Oxford, warned there is a danger that autocorrect would become a “substitute for knowing the rules”.
As a professional writer, it never ceases to amaze me that people find it so difficult to understand how to use this simple punctuation device properly. And that it excites such strong feeling two groups have sprung up: the Apostrophe Protection Society and the opposing Kill The Apostrophe campaign (about which the least said the better) to argue their respective causes. If you’d like a quick recap of the rules see my earlier post ‘Apostrophes need not be a catastrophe‘ here.
